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COLUMNS: DIMOCK: An ice cream festival was held at the Parkvale schoolhouse green on Monday evening last. AND: Canfield Estus has purchased a graphophone. When you want to hear some good music, call at his pleasant home near the M. E. Church. HIGHLANDS: U. G. Brush has his new barn nearly completed. It stands on the same spot where his father, Charles Brush, built a barn in the year 1855. FAIR HILL, Jessup Twp.: Amy, George and Miriam Guise, of the Soldiers’ Orphan Home at Scotland, Pa., are spending their vacation with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Cool. LINDAVILLE, Brooklyn Twp.: Twenty-three families are now connected by the Lindaville telephone line, Terry Whitman having been recently added to the list. SOUTH AUBURN: Mrs. Egbert Wickizer is suffering from the effects of being thrown from a wagon one day last week. The horse became unmanageable and threw Mrs. Wickizer out on her head and shoulders. The doctors say it will be many weeks before she will be able to be out again. LYNN, Springville Twp.: The fourth of July is over at last and nobody hurt or injured in any way. The fantastic parade was a grand success. Walter Button got up a patent automobile that took the cake from anything we have seen heretofore, and all the other features were good. UNIONDALE: Not withstanding the unfavorable outlook on the morning of July 4, at 9 a.m., the people from far and near began to assemble in order to once more celebrate the nations great holiday. The programme on the grounds was all that could be wished for, the races were especially fine and the new grand stand gave universal satisfaction. FLYNN: Martin L. Curley, who has been spending his vacation at his home here, has returned to New York City where he is employed in the Custom House. THOMPSON: John Meetchler and Miss Louise Lepp, both of Lanesboro, called at the M. E. parsonage Sunday afternoon, and after waiting a few hours for the parson to return from his afternoon appointment, they underwent that process by which “they twain were made one flesh.” FLYNN: Martin L. Curley, who has been spending his vacation at his home here, has returned to New York City where he is employed in the Custom House. SUSQUEHANNA: Negotiations were completed Saturday afternoon whereby the Brass Specialty Company, of New York, will locate in Susquehanna. The new industry, which is most desirable in every way, will build the plant upon the foundation of the defunct Hardware Manufacturing Company in the Oakland section of the town. Fifty skilled mechanics will be brought to Susquehanna to take up work in the factory, while fifty more will be employed here. ELK LAKE: A very delightful party was given at the Loftus residence of this place, on Friday evening of last week, in honor of their guests, the Misses O’Hara, Revels and McHale, of Scranton. Dancing was indulged in and a dainty luncheon served. At the wee small hours of morning the guests departed for their homes voting a most enjoyable time by all. FRIENDSVILLE: The Friendsville base ball team played a game with the Camp Choconut team Saturday, resulting in a victory for the Camp. AND: The Friendsville base ball team is thinking of having Thos. Leary for umpire. He’ll keep the boys where they belong. WELCH HILL: The friends and neighbors of Girdon Wescott met on Saturday and raised the frame work of his large new barn he is building to replace the one which was destroyed by fire last fall. FOREST LAKE: J. M. Noble has returned from a three weeks’ visit at Wichita, Kansas, and other points in the West. Mr. Noble visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Noble, who are quite seriously ill, and found them somewhat improved. He says that the wet weather has seriously affected the crops, especially wheat and corn, in many sections, and not an infrequent sight was a field of four-foot corn with the tips just appearing above water. Crops generally in this section of the East, he says, are much better. MONTROSE: A “suggestion box” has been placed near the door, on the left as you enter the new library building, for the convenience of persons who patronize the library. If you fail to find on the shelves the book sought for, and it is not recorded in the list of books on hand, make a note of it on a slip of paper, and deposit it in the box. The librarian will then place the matter in the hands of a committee, who will decide upon the merits of the book, and if its tone smacks of good morals, the book will be secured for distribution among the library members. FOREST CITY: The Forest City News prints a story about the proposed electric railroad to go through Susquehanna county in which it says the proposed line will connect with the Northern Electric company at Factoryville, go through Benton township to Fleetville, north to Glenwood, east to Clifford, northwest to Gibson and South Gibson, thence through Jackson, Pine Hill and Gelatt to Susquehanna. From Susquehanna where the power house will probably be located, it will follow the Susquehanna river to Binghamton. This trolley line would open up some of the most fertile agricultural country in this part of the state. NEWS BRIEFS: A simple remedy for sunburn or headache caused by heat is to wear a piece of orange-red crepe paper in your hat. A piece of flannel of the same color will answer the purpose. The secret of the remedy is that the color of the paper neutralizes the actinic rays of the sun, these rays are what cause the mischief. The suggestion is none the less valuable because it is simple, and we urge our readers to try it. AND: The Equitable Life Insurance Co., of New York, will soon commence the erection of the tallest building in the world. It will be 64 stories, with a total height of over 900 feet above the sidewalk.
From the Desk of the D.A. On May 9, 2008, at the Old Country Buffet in Dickson City, a local group met for a meal – but they were a little different from the average patrons. Each member of this group was openly wearing a handgun – and they were doing so legally. In Pennsylvania, there are no laws that prohibit a person from openly carrying a firearm. There are prohibitions against “concealing” a firearm unless an appropriate permit is obtained – as well as prohibitions relating to the manner in which the firearm is transported. But in this incident, the members of the group were openly displaying their firearms, i.e., they were not concealed. As one might expect, this caused some consternation and the police were called to investigate the matter. In response to this incident, I received an email from a reader wondering whether a business owner can prohibit people from carrying firearms into the business. Apparently, several businesses have now added signs to their doors that indicate no firearms are allowed. The reader wanted to know if this would be lawful if the patron had a permit to carry the firearm, i.e., a concealed firearm permit. The reader suggested that a business owner who engaged in such conduct would be violating the patron’s right to self-protection. My initial reaction is that a business owner has the right to regulate weapons on his or her property. Most commercial establishments already have policies requiring patrons to wear a shirt or shoes in order to enter. Other commercial establishments have prohibited the use of tobacco products. There are a variety of places that already prohibit the possession of weapons, including places like schools, courthouses, airports, and other governmental buildings. In fact, in its recent decision striking down the Washington, D.C. firearm ban, the Supreme Court noted that the decision should not be seen as invalidating laws that prohibit the “carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings.” Given all of these precedents, it seems logical to assume that a private business owner can regulate the presence of weapons on his or her property. If a patron feels unsafe going into a particular business without a firearm, then he or she can go somewhere else that permits a patron to carry a firearm. The idea that a business owner is violating the patron’s rights is misleading. Business owners have rights too – including the right to refuse to provide service to a consumer provided that decision is not based upon a reason prohibited by law. There are no laws that require a business owner to open their establishment up to gun-carrying customers. There are laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and a variety of other matters – but not gun possession. Moreover, reliance upon the Second Amendment provides no greater relief. The Constitution regulates the conduct of the government – not private citizens. Thus, a private citizen cannot violate the Second Amendment by refusing to allow weapons into a commercial establishment. In other words, your constitutional rights cannot be violated by the acts of a private citizen – constitutional rights can only be violated by the government or governmental agents. In quickly researching this issue, I did not find any Pennsylvania law directly on point. Minnesota, however, does have a statute that allows a private business owner to post the business with a sign that prohibits the possession of firearms – and makes it a crime if the patron ignores the prohibition (even if the person has a permit to carry the firearm). In short, another state legislature has criminalized the refusal of the gun-carrying patron to obey the posted gun prohibition of a private business owner. This statute implicitly recognizes the right of a private business owner to regulate his or her establishment to assure that patrons are not armed with firearms. In conclusion, I could find nothing that would prohibit a business from prohibiting the possession of weapons on its property. To the contrary, I found at least one state statute the recognized the business owner’s right to do just that. While you may have a right to openly possess a firearm, this right does not seem to trump a private citizen’s right to control his or her business property. Please submit any questions, concerns, or comments to Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, Pennsylvania 18801 or at our website www.SusquehannaCounty-DA.org or discuss this and all articles at http://dadesk.blogspot.com/.
The Healthy Geezer
Q. I’m thinking about getting LASIK eye surgery. Is it safe? LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, improves vision by reshaping the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye. Using a laser, an eye surgeon can free patients of eyeglasses and contact lenses. The results of LASIK have been improving because of technological advances and the experience of surgeons. More than 90 percent of people who've undergone refractive (vision-correction) surgery don’t have to wear glasses or contacts most of the time. LASIK is a relatively new technology. The first laser was approved for eye surgery in 1998. The long-term safety and effectiveness of LASIK is unknown. According to the LASIK Study Task Force formed in 2007, studies indicate a 95.4 percent satisfaction rate among patients worldwide. The Task Force consists of The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the U.S. National Eye Institute. But of the 7.6 million people who have undergone the procedure in the United States since the 1990s, 140 have written letters of complaint to the FDA. About 800,000 Americans underwent LASIK surgery in 2007, a slight increase from 2006. Refractive surgery has risks that often require additional surgery. The following are some of these risks: Loss of lines on the vision chart that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or more surgery. Diminished vision where there is low contrast, such as at night or in fog. Astigmatism, a condition in which the cornea is uneven and vision can be blurred. This can occur if your eye moves too much during surgery. Glare around lights or double vision at night. Severe dry-eye syndrome that causes discomfort and reduces visual quality. Infection. Undercorrections. Overcorrections. LASIK is an option if you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism. Some people with presbyopia – a vision error that comes with age – may benefit from LASIK eye surgery. However, the surgery may give presbyopes clear distance vision, but poorer near vision. Certain conditions preclude individuals from having LASIK. These include: cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal diseases, and corneal-thinning disorders. During the eye exam prior to LASIK, the surgeon charts your eye to determine which areas of your cornea need to be altered. The surgery is then done with a laser programmed to remove the right amount of tissue in each location on the cornea. During the surgery, you lie on your back in a reclining chair in an exam room. The surgery usually takes less than a half-hour. Often, LASIK is done on both eyes in the same sitting. In most cases, your vision won't be better at first. Vision improves over several months. After the procedure, your eyes may hurt, burn, itch or water for a few days. In addition, you may be sensitive to light and experience blurred vision for a week. You may also have dry eyes and difficulty driving at night for about four weeks after surgery. It may take up to three to six months for your vision to stabilize after surgery. Refractive surgery is usually considered elective. Medicare and most insurance companies won't cover the costs. LASIK costs anywhere from $800 to $3,000 or more per eye. If you have a question, please write to fred@healthygeezer.com.
Straight From Starrucca No Straight From Starrucca This Week
Olah Brothers Join Armed Forces
Electronics Technician Third Class Petty Officer Aaron R. Olah entered the United States Navy on June 23, 2006 and completed basic training at Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois in August, 2006. He enrolled in Nuclear Field A School for six months at Naval Nuclear Power Training Center in Charleston, SC, which he completed in February, 2007. Aaron graduated in the top third of his class of 295 students. Aaron then enrolled at MARF Prototype School in Ballston Spa, New York and is currently instructing Naval Nuclear Power. Aaron is a 2004 graduate of Montrose Area High School and attended Bloomsburg University.
Damage Control Fireman Apprentice Jared L. Olah entered the United States Navy on September 29, 2007 and completed his basic training at Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois on November 21, 2007. He graduated from Basic Engineering Common Core on March 20, 2008 and will be continuing his training and service aboard the Carl Vinson CVN-70 in Norfolk, Virginia. Jared is a 2007 graduate of Montrose Area High School. Their maternal grandfather, M. Roy Oakes, served in the United States Army from 1949 through 1952 during the Korean War. Their maternal great-grandfather, Roy Oakes, served in the United States Army during World War I, along with two of his brothers, Ray and Dana. Their paternal grandfather, Richard L. Olah, served in the United States Air Force from 1960 through 1964. Aaron and Jared are the sons of Kevin Olah, and Mark and Lisa Caterson.
What’s Bugging You? Deer Flies: July’s vicious attackers Why is it that you can’t simply enjoy a pleasant walk outside without being tormented by those circling, relentless flies? Not only do they annoy you, but they eventually will also inflict a painful bite.
A deerfly in its larva stage. These summer scoundrels are deer flies. While I’m sure they do terrorize deer, they are also partial to anything else that moves, including our pets, our livestock and us. Like other members of the family Tabanidae (which also includes horseflies), it is only the females that use their knife-like mouthparts to slice through the skin to draw blood and sponge it up. They frequent wooded edges and sunny areas near streams and ponds. Deer flies are a little larger than common houseflies and have dark bands across their wings. Their eyes are brightly colored. When at rest, these flies appear “triangular” in shape.
An adult deerfly. The female flies are active during warm June and July days. They are attracted to anything warm that moves and emits carbon dioxide. On humans, they usually attack areas around the face and neck. They are so persistent that once they have actually landed, they are easy to kill. It is the incessant circling and buzzing that is so irritating. Although the flies are very aggressive and persistent, they will usually not follow a person deep into the woods, preferring to ambush their prey along the sunny, marginal edges. The female deer fly deposits her 25 to 1000 eggs in masses on plants or other debris over water. Upon hatching in 5 to 12 days, the tiny, spindle-shaped larvae drop down and burrow into the moist soil near streams, marshes, ponds or lakes. Here, they feed on organic debris, small insects, snails, earthworms, and various aquatic organisms. Some species are even cannibalistic! The larvae over-winter in the mud. In late spring the mature larvae crawl onto dry land to pupate. Pupation lasts from 1 to 2 weeks, whereupon the adults emerge as strong, aggressive fliers. The males feed on flower nectar, plant juices and honeydew, while the females are strictly blood feeders. Like black flies and mosquitoes, the female deer flies require a blood meal for the successful development of their eggs. The male deer fly can be distinguished from the female by eyes that touch in the middle. The eyes of the female are distinctly separated. While the active cycle for adults is usually only about 1 month, the annoyance may persist, due to the presence of numerous species whose activities may overlap. These flies are most active on warm, sunny days when there is a minimum of wind. Cooler temperatures or a steady breeze help to alleviate the biting attacks. Their bites are painful and, in some cases, can cause allergic reactions. Normally the swelling and irritation dissipates in several days. Sometimes, as a result of intense scratching of the wound, people get a secondary infection at the site. Deer fly attacks can also have consequences on livestock, resulting in decreased milk production or serious injury from the “stampeding” of the herd while attempting to evade the attackers Because of their widespread breeding habits, overall control of the deerfly is impractical. The application of repellents containing Deet can provide some protection. A permethrin-based repellent, applied only to clothing, gives longer protection. However, neither of these preventatives will stop the annoying swarming about your head. They only discourage the marauders from landing and biting. Wearing light-colored clothing has shown to provide some relief. Caps will provide some protection, especially if you are “hair-challenged” like myself. A non-chemical, adhesive patch is marketed for deerfly protection. You attach it onto your cap and the deer flies stick to it. In cases of desperation, a nylon mesh head net is effective, but not very stylish or comfortable. Area repellents, such as citronella, can provide some relief on the patio or around the yard. Widespread spraying can provide some protection, but is prohibitive in cost, labor and environmental concerns. These flies are strong fliers and can re-infest an area within days. Since deerflies are primarily day feeders and avoid shaded or indoor areas, providing some sort of shelter significantly protects livestock. In some parts of the world, and even in the western United States, deer flies can transmit certain diseases such as tularemia, often called “rabbit fever.” Fortunately, that is not a concern in our area. While I cannot think of anything good to say about these annoying, biting insects, I am at least thankful that their occurrence is sporadic and limited to a few weeks in the summer. Maybe they’re not quite as bad as the mosquitoes of August! Questions, comments and suggestions regarding this article, identifications or any other insect- related matters are welcome. Please email them to bugman95@gmail.com.
Food For Thought No Food For Thought This Week EARTH TALK No Earth Talk This Week
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